Yes. Menlo requires first-year and sophomore students to live on campus unless an exemption applies.
Who is the local Realtor for Menlo?
Lori Hill of Compass is the CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact for Menlo College.
How can I schedule a callback with Lori?
Use Schedule a Callback and include your preferred day and time, housing plan and contact details. You can also call 831-588-7552. Appointment availability is confirmed with the professional.
How should I compare renting and buying?
Compare the complete housing arrangements, upfront cash, monthly costs, expected time near campus and plan after graduation. The rent-vs-buy calculator provides an editable illustration.
Who can help review financing?
Matt Dean of NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact. Share the property, intended occupancy and your assumptions for an eligibility review.
Is CollegeHousing.ai affiliated with Menlo?
CollegeHousing.ai and the local professionals are independent of Menlo College.
How do I confirm current property availability?
Ask Lori for current properties that fit your budget and timing. Confirm availability, price, lease or sale terms, and the specific address before making plans.
Are first-year students required to live on campus?
Menlo's current public Housing & Dining page states that all first-year and sophomore students are required to live on campus. The 2026–27 Housing Handbook describes the residency requirement as two years/four semesters for full-time students, subject to approved exceptions.
Does a housing offer guarantee my student's preferred dorm or room type?
Students may participate in housing selection and request roommates, but Menlo reserves assignment authority and states that room and roommate preferences are not guaranteed.
Can my student get an exemption from a first-year live-on requirement?
Menlo publishes housing-exemption criteria and provides a Housing Exemption Form through MyMenlo. Approval is required before a student subject to the residency requirement treats off-campus housing as an alternative.
Is the Menlo College housing contract legally binding?
For returning-student selection, the 2026–27 handbook says students agree to the Housing Agreement in Phase 1 and the contract becomes binding when a room/roommate is chosen in Phase 2. All residential students are then bound by the housing agreement and handbook policies.
Can we cancel the housing contract before move-in?
Menlo says students must submit the Change of Housing form. For fall, requests before July 1 have no penalty, July 1–31 carry a $200 penalty, and August 1 through the first day of class carry a $300 penalty. A request does not itself guarantee release.
Can my student get out of the housing contract after moving in?
Menlo's current cancellation schedule charges $500 plus one-half room and board from the first through tenth day of class and full room and board from the tenth day onward. Later requests require supporting documentation, and Menlo states that no release is guaranteed.
Can we sign an off-campus lease while keeping the dorm as a backup?
Menlo states that cancellation requests do not guarantee release and that housing charges can remain due under the penalty schedule. An off-campus lease is a separate private obligation, so families should obtain written release from Menlo before assuming the campus obligation has ended.
What is the true annual cost of living in a Menlo College residence hall?
For 2026–27, per-semester room-and-board ranges from $7,920 for a Kratt triple to $13,990 for an El Camino ensuite single. Menlo's Cost of Attendance uses a $20,874 weighted annual on-campus food-and-housing figure; the family's actual direct room-and-board total depends on the assigned room type.
Can financial aid be used to pay for on-campus housing?
Menlo's 2026–27 Cost of Attendance includes $20,874 for on-campus food and housing. Financial-aid eligibility is calculated in relation to cost of attendance, and Menlo publishes grant, scholarship, loan and other aid options.
Can scholarships pay for room and board?
Menlo's aid page says the Legacy Scholarship may be awarded up to the cost of tuition, housing and meals, and the California Opportunity Grant may help eligible students reach a $0 out-of-pocket cost for tuition and on-campus housing. Menlo also notes that some institutional merit scholarships and grants are tuition-only, so families must check each award's terms.
Can student loans pay for on-campus housing?
Menlo includes on-campus food and housing in the student's cost of attendance and publishes federal/private loan options. Federal Student Aid also provides federal student and Parent PLUS loan programs, subject to current eligibility and borrowing limits.
Can choosing a more expensive dorm affect how much aid my student receives?
Menlo's 2026–27 room-and-board prices vary substantially by room type, while its Cost of Attendance uses a weighted $20,874 annual on-campus food-and-housing amount. Families choosing a room above the budget should confirm with Financial Aid whether the difference changes documented need or remains an out-of-pocket cost.
Are payment plans available for residence-hall housing?
The 2026–27 Tuition & Fees page lists a Semester Payment Plan Enrollment Fee of $35. Families should enroll through the current student-account payment system and follow its installment dates.
What happens if a housing payment is late?
The 2026–27 Tuition & Fees page lists a late payment fee that varies, with a $150 maximum. The student should address an overdue balance through the student account promptly because other account consequences can depend on the specific balance and timing.
What does Menlo College room and board include?
Menlo's 2026–27 housing page says room-and-board rates include the room, 18 meals per week including $120 in flex dollars, shared laundry at no extra charge, utilities, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, plus a bed, desk, desk chair and wardrobe or dresser for each occupant.
Is the meal plan included in the housing rate or charged separately?
Menlo states that meals are included in room and board and that meal plans are required for residential students. The standard published housing package includes 18 meals per week plus $120 in flex dollars.
Can a 529 plan be used to pay for Menlo College room and board?
IRS Publication 970 explains when room-and-board expenses qualify for 529/QTP treatment, including cost-of-attendance limits and special treatment for students living in institution-owned housing. Menlo publishes its 2026–27 on-campus food-and-housing cost and actual room-and-board rates, which families can use to document the charge.
Can my student choose a residence hall and room type?
Menlo publishes multiple halls and room types and uses a phased housing-selection process. Availability controls what a student can select, and Menlo explicitly says room preferences are not guaranteed.
How are roommates assigned at Menlo College?
MyMenlo includes a Roommate Request workflow. The 2026–27 handbook also reserves Menlo's authority to assign roommates, consolidate vacancies and move residents when necessary.
Can my student choose their roommate?
The Housing Home includes a Roommate Request tool, and the handbook's housing selection process includes roommate choice. Menlo explicitly states that roommate preferences are not guaranteed.
Is a requested roommate guaranteed?
Students may request roommates through the housing system, but Menlo states that roommate and room preferences are not guaranteed.
Can requesting a particular roommate reduce our room or dorm options?
Menlo's room selection combines room and roommate choice and reserves assignment authority. A preferred roommate may therefore narrow available combinations, especially when only certain room occupancies remain.
What should my student do if they do not get along with their roommate?
Menlo requires residents to complete a roommate agreement and says students beginning a room-change request first meet with their Community Advisor. After-hours residence staff can also help mediate hall conflicts.
Can my student change rooms after move-in?
Menlo's 2026–27 handbook says room changes require approval and cannot be processed until the roughly 14-day freeze period after classes begins. Approved students generally must complete the move within 48 hours.
What happens if my student's roommate moves out?
The handbook says Menlo may fill vacancies and requires the remaining resident to keep the unused furniture clear for a potential roommate. It also describes consolidation and a discretionary spring buyout of extra bed space in some partially filled doubles.
My student looked up their roommate online and thinks they are incompatible. What should we do?
Menlo's handbook requires a roommate agreement and identifies the Community Advisor as the first step when a resident wants to address roommate issues or begin a room-change process.
Are single rooms available?
For 2026–27, Menlo lists small singles in El Camino, Howard, Kratt, Michaels and O'Brien; standard singles in Arrillaga, El Camino, Howard, Kratt and Michaels; and an El Camino ensuite single. Availability varies.
Is gender-inclusive roommate housing available?
Menlo describes gender-inclusive housing as available across its mixed-gender residence-hall system; depending on suite or floor, spaces may be single-gender or all-gender.
Can students of different genders live together in a Menlo residence-hall room?
Menlo states that its residence halls are mixed gender and that suites/floors may be all-gender. Students seeking gender-inclusive roommate housing should use the housing selection/accommodation process.
What is the difference between an RA and the professional residence-hall staff?
Menlo says residence halls are supervised by professional Residential Life staff and student Community Advisors. CAs support students and community life, while professional staff administer housing, conduct, accommodations and escalated decisions.
Who should my student contact first when something goes wrong in the dorm?
Menlo states that an after-hours RA/CA can help with conflicts and well-being concerns, while 24/7 Campus Security handles safety, lockouts and facilities emergencies. Housing/Student Affairs handles assignments and policy decisions.
What is the difference between traditional, connecting/private-bath and apartment-style Menlo housing?
The 2026–27 rate table distinguishes triple, double, small single, standard single and El Camino ensuite-single options. Hall pages show traditional shared-bath buildings and suite-style layouts in some halls.
How many students share a bathroom?
Menlo's Residence Halls page says its halls feature shared bathrooms, while Howard and Michaels contain suites and some layouts differ. Families should review the current floor plan for the assigned hall to see the exact number of residents sharing a bathroom.
What furniture is already provided?
The 2026–27 Housing & Dining page lists a bed, desk, desk chair and wardrobe or dresser for each occupant. College-provided furniture must remain in the assigned room.
Can my student bring a refrigerator and microwave?
The 2026–27 handbook allows refrigerators and microwaves in residence bedrooms, limited to one refrigerator and one microwave per room unless multiple refrigerators receive prior approval.
What appliances and items are prohibited in the dorm?
The 2026–27 handbook prohibits items including hot plates, toaster ovens, indoor grills, air fryers, pressure/rice cookers, open-coil cooking appliances and many other fire/safety hazards. Families should check the current handbook before packing any high-wattage appliance.
Can students decorate their dorm rooms?
Students may decorate without permanently altering the room. The handbook permits items such as posters, rugs and plants, while restricting permanent attachment, paint and hall-specific mounting methods; students should use the allowed removable mounting method for their assigned hall.
How does laundry work?
Menlo says shared laundry access is included in room and board. The 2026–27 handbook requires residents to keep laundry rooms clean and not leave laundry unattended.
Does housekeeping clean my student's bedroom?
The handbook requires residents to maintain their assigned spaces, follow common-area cleanliness rules and leave rooms broom-clean at move-out. Cleaning charges can be assessed for excessive trash or cleaning.
What happens if something breaks in the room?
Menlo directs residents to report facilities emergencies such as outages or overflowing water to Security when urgent, and the handbook requires prompt reporting of building and room concerns.
What should my student do about mold, mildew, pests or suspected bedbugs?
The 2026–27 handbook says residents must notify a college official immediately if insects, rodents or other pests appear and must immediately notify Facilities and Housing Operations about water leaks that can cause mildew.
Is Wi-Fi included in residence halls?
Menlo's 2026–27 Housing & Dining page includes access to Wi-Fi and Ethernet internet in the published room-and-board price.
How does mail and package delivery work?
Menlo publishes the campus mailing address and says post-office operating hours are announced at the beginning of each semester and break.
Can first-year students bring a car?
The 2026–27 handbook explicitly prohibits first-year students from having cars on campus without an approved exception. Eligible resident vehicles must be registered with the College.
Can parents and other family members visit the residence hall?
Menlo permits guests when all roommates consent. The resident host is responsible for the guest, must meet/escort the guest, and is accountable for policy compliance.
What are quiet hours?
Menlo's 2026–27 handbook publishes minimum quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Twenty-four-hour quiet hours apply during final-exam periods.
Can overnight guests stay in my student's room?
Menlo requires roommate consent, host escort and policy compliance. Overnight/guest visits may not exceed 48 hours in any 30-day period or 24 sequential hours.
Is alcohol allowed in Menlo College residence halls?
The handbook prohibits alcohol for anyone under 21, prohibits it in mixed-age rooms, bans alcohol in residence-hall public areas and sets possession limits for eligible residents age 21+.
Are pets allowed in residence halls?
Menlo's Housing & Dining page and handbook prohibit ordinary pets other than fish in a 10-gallon-or-smaller aquarium. Service and support animals require the applicable accommodation/approval process.
Should my student have renter's or personal-property insurance?
The 2026–27 handbook requires residential students to maintain active renter's insurance for the duration of the housing contract. It also notes that coverage may be through the student's own policy or a parent's homeowners policy if that coverage actually applies.
If my student's belongings are stolen or damaged, will Menlo reimburse us?
The 2026–27 handbook states that Menlo is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property and will not reimburse damage from accidental sprinkler discharge. Residents are expected to rely on required renter's/property coverage.
How safe are Menlo College residence halls?
Menlo states trained security guards are on campus 24/7, make regular rounds and work with local police. The housing handbook also prohibits propped exterior doors and other practices that weaken residence-hall security.
Where can I see Menlo College's crime and safety record?
The Consumer Information page links the College's Annual Security Report and provides current campus security/emergency contacts. Parents can use that report for required Clery crime statistics and safety policies.
Are dorm buildings locked?
The handbook prohibits propping, forcing or improperly opening exterior residence-hall doors. Menlo also maintains 24/7 Campus Security and video surveillance in campus areas.
Is there late-night transportation or an escort service?
The Housing & Dining page tells students to call or text Campus Security if they want someone to walk across campus with them in the late evening. Security operates 24/7.
How will my student know about a campus emergency?
The Security & Safety page lists emergency notifications by text, voice or email for people whose contact information is updated and encourages students to register for San Mateo County's primary alert and warning system.
What should my student do if they become seriously sick or injured in the dorm?
Menlo publishes 911 and 24/7 Campus Security for urgent situations. Its Health & Wellness page lists local medical-care resources and says TimelyCare remains available to all students for telehealth and mental-health services.
Can I call Housing and ask what is happening with my student's room or roommate problem?
Menlo's Consumer Information and Registrar pages explain that students control disclosure of protected education-record information. A parent can share a concern with Housing, but receiving details back may require the student's FERPA authorization.
Can parents access a college student's education records if the student is our tax dependent?
The U.S. Department of Education explains the FERPA tax-dependent exception. Menlo's Registrar says students hold FERPA rights and can authorize releases; families should use Menlo's authorization process for routine access.
Can Menlo tell parents about an under-21 alcohol or drug violation?
Federal FERPA rules allow a postsecondary institution to disclose certain under-21 alcohol/drug disciplinary violations to parents. Menlo publishes residence-hall alcohol rules, but the reviewed sources do not promise that every violation triggers a parent call.
Does FERPA still apply if my Menlo College student is only 17?
Menlo's Registrar states that FERPA rights transfer when a student begins postsecondary education or reaches age 18, whichever comes first. A 17-year-old attending Menlo therefore controls their FERPA education-record rights.
Can the college contact parents during a serious health or safety emergency?
Federal FERPA provides a health-or-safety emergency exception. Menlo publishes emergency contacts and notification systems, while routine student-record disclosures remain governed by FERPA.
How does my student request disability-related housing accommodations?
Menlo directs students seeking residence-hall disability accommodations to Student Success/Accessibility Services. Requests can require supporting documentation and coordination with Student Affairs/Housing.
Can my student have a service animal or emotional-support animal in campus housing?
Menlo requires prior written consent from Student Success/Accessibility Services for a service or support animal in college housing. ESAs cannot be in the residence halls until both Accessibility Services and Student Affairs approve them, and Menlo provides a supplemental ESA contract.
Is a meal plan required if my student lives in a Menlo College residence hall?
Menlo's Housing & Dining and Tuition & Fees pages state that meal plans are required for residential students, and the 2026–27 handbook says residential students are automatically enrolled when they apply for housing.
Can my student move in early?
Menlo allows approved early move-in for official athletics commitments, College employment, or individually approved extenuating circumstances. The standard fee is $100 plus $50 per day until the semester starts.
Do residence halls stay open over winter break?
The 2026–27 handbook says residence halls remain open for Thanksgiving and spring break but close for winter and summer breaks. Students with qualifying College employment/internship or approved extenuating circumstances may apply for break housing, subject to approval and availability.
What happens at move-out, and what do we do with belongings?
Menlo sends end-of-semester instructions before move-out. Rooms must be broom-clean and free of belongings/trash; a Community Advisor or housing staff member inspects the room unless the student uses Express Checkout. Improper or late move-out can create fees and damage/cleaning charges.
Sources & editorial context
University housing information is organized from the linked sources, with its original review date shown. Rates, deadlines and availability can change; use the applicable academic year and check the source before committing. CollegeHousing.ai is independent of Menlo College.
Get help with your next decision
Lori Hill, Broker Associate at Compass, is the local real estate contact. Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact.